For 2010 the orchestra is introducing a new youth composers competition. More details on this can be found here.

The orchestra aims to function in the community by giving the youth of the North Shore an opportunity to make music in a fun, relaxed and sociable atmosphere. The orchestra is for students based on the North Shore aged between 14 - 20 and of a reasonable standard. For the last few years, a lot of time and effort has been put into the North Shore High School music programs, and as a result many of the High Schools on the North Share have very good bands and orchestras. The North Shore Youth Orchestra however will give an opportunity for those talented students who would like to be part of a group outside of school hours, and away from the usual classrooms and school halls.

Previous repertoire the orchestra has performed:
Brahms, J - Symphony No.2 (1st and 3rd Mov)
Bizet, G - Carmen Suite No.1
Saint-Seans - Danse Macabre
Lilburn, D - Aotearoa Overture, Festival Overture
Suppe, F - Light Cavalry Overture
Faure, G - Pavane, Elergy
Liszt, F - Les Preludes
Mozart, WA - Marriage of Figaro Overture
Dvorak, A - Slavonic Dance No.8

At present the North Shore Junior Orchestra (www.nsjo.org.nz) - which caters for children 8 - 14 yrs of age has been steadily improving as the years have gone by, and will function along side the North Shore Youth Orchestra.